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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

NASA RELEASE: 05-171

NASA Gives Go for Space Shuttle Return to Flight

NASA has cleared the Space Shuttle to Return to Flight. After a two-day Flight Readiness Review meeting at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, senior managers approved a July 13 launch date for Discovery.

Commander Eileen Collins and her crew are scheduled to lift off at 3:51 p.m. EDT on the first U.S. space flight since the February 2003 loss of the Shuttle Columbia.

"After a vigorous, healthy discussion our team has come to a decision: we're ready to go," NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said after the meeting. "The past two and half years have resulted in significant improvements that have greatly reduced the risk of flying the Shuttle. But we should never lose sight of the fact that space flight is risky.

"The Discovery mission, designated STS-114, is a test flight," Griffin said, noting that astronauts will try out a host of new Space Shuttle safety enhancements. In addition, Discovery will carry 15 tons of supplies and replacement hardware to the International Space Station. July 13 is the beginning of three weeks of possible launch days that run through July 31.

"Today's decision is an important milestone in returning the Shuttle to service for the country. Our technical and engineering teams are continuing their in-depth preparations to ensure that Eileen and her crew have a successful mission," he said.

[This message has been edited by Robert Pearlman (edited June 30, 2005).]

ASCAN1984

I havew to get that day off. I have to.

KSCartist

I am just as excited to see RTF as anyone. But please remember before you book any non-refundable tickets- "Mother Nature" may have a thing or two to say about letting the shuttle fly. A summer late afternoon launch-not easy.Godspeed Discovery ! Keep your fingers crossed.

Tim

Rizz

From the Associated Press.CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Ś A panel overseeing NASA's resumption of shuttle flights concluded Monday that the space agency has failed to meet the toughest safety recommendations put in place after the Columbia disaster.

Despite exhaustive work and considerable progress over the past 2 1/2 years, NASA has been unable to eliminate the possibility of dangerous pieces of foam and ice from breaking off the external fuel tank and striking the shuttle at liftoff, the return-to-flight task force said.

In addition, NASA still does not have a clear idea of all the potential threats from ice, and still lacks a practical way to fix holes and other damage caused by flyaway launch debris, the group said.

Robert Pearlman

Also from the Associated Press today:

quote:The chief investigator of the Columbia disaster said Wednesday he's fine with NASA resuming shuttle launches in just two weeks, even though the space agency falls short of making three safety improvements he called for in 2003.

"It sounds to me like they're ready to go," retired Navy Adm. Harold Gehman Jr. said in an interview with The Associated Press. "As far as what I know, they have taken all the steps necessary to be ready to fly in July."

Gehman said the accident investigators never meant NASA had to carry out to the letter the changes recommended for the shuttle. "We didn't want it to be a poison pill," he said of one of the especially vexing improvements.

zee_aladdin

is 13 a good number to have the shuttle fly? I would have changed the date to either 12th or 14th.

What do you think?

Robert Pearlman

I think 13 comes after 12.

Ben

And before 14, if I have my math right.

ColinBurgess

Just in passing: the US Navy will never launch a new ship on Friday the 13th, and I seem to recall a little monkey called Gordo/Old Reliable was launched aboard a Jupiter on a ballistic flight one Friday the 13th and was lost at sea after splashdown. I know this launch is a Wednesday effort, but thought I'd throw this in.

Colin

Robert Pearlman

In the history of monthly "13" space milestones, the score is 9 successes (or neutrals) vs. 3 failures.

June 13, 1983: Pioneer 10 becomes the first spacecraft to leave the Solar System.

July 13, 1969: Luna 15 launches in a failed attempt by the Soviets to beat the U.S. by returning lunar soil to Earth.

August 13, 1998: Soyuz TM-28 launches Padalka, Avdeyev, and Baturn on a flight to the Mir Space Station.

September 13, 1961: Mercury 4 launches on the first mission to deliver the unmanned spacecraft to Earth orbit.

October 13, 1969: Soyuz 8 launches on a failed mission to dock with Soyuz 7 and rendezvous with Soyuz 6.

November 13, 1971: Mariner 9 becomes the first spacecraft to enter orbit around another planet, Mars.

December 13, 1967: Pioneer 8 launches to explore Earth's magnetotail and wake which streams from the Sun.

January 13, 1978: NASA selects its first class of female astronauts, including Sally Ride and Kathryn Sullivan.

February 13, 1997: The STS-82 crew plucks the Hubble Space Telescope from its orbit to upgrade its instruments.

Funny,isn┤t it? We are all strong supporters of space technology, which can only work with as much exact science as possible, but when it comes to that number superstition is grinning from every corner. Only a very tough and broad experimental survey in statistics would convince me that this number has bad influence. By the way, my house number┤s 13... After all that punches NASA┤s got for making irrational decisions how would it look like if they say "We fix the launch window in respect to some mystical rumors about number influences".Best luck to STS 114!

paul prendergast

Good news at last i hope all goes well, with everything.Paul

HouseDadX4

July 13th - My anniversary, my parent's anniversary, my wife's parent's anniversary... A truly lucky number...wish I could make it to Florida for RTF but can't..Will be watching on NASA TV and CNN, MSNBC, FOX, or wherever my tv lands...

Robert Pearlman

Speaking of numbers, STS-114... 1/14 is my birthday, as well the day the Vision for Space Exploration was announced. So while I don't usually subscribe to lucky numbers, if I did, I would only expect good things ahead for STS-114 (which I do anyway). Go Discovery!

mikepf

The number 13 being bad luck is mere superstition, but why chance it? I say delay one day. Especially since I already have July 14th off for another matter. Regards,Mike

michaelSN99

despite i think the 13 is number of good luck....in dont expect that anyone who is believing the reverse , must have any concerns about this date....certainly any bigger cloud at the floridian sky or strong winds at one of the launch aborting sites in europe will switch the launch to one of the next days ;-)))))

but anyway...it will become a great day for manned space exploration !!!